snorkeling - what do you do with your stuff?

[maireeka]

I must admit, i'm a little paranoid about all my stuff getting stolen while i'm snorkeling with my girlfriend during this cruise. we're going to sapphire beach in st thomas and orient beach in st maarten.

 

Is there some kinda waterproof container I can use for our passports/cash?

 

Has anyone had an experience with worthless items (towels/shoes/etc) being stolen?

 

What are you guys' opinions on this?

[RedSectorA]

I must admit, i'm a little paranoid about all my stuff getting stolen while i'm snorkeling with my girlfriend during this cruise. we're going to sapphire beach in st thomas and orient beach in st maarten.

 

Is there some kinda waterproof container I can use for our passports/cash?

 

Has anyone had an experience with worthless items (towels/shoes/etc) being stolen?

 

What are you guys' opinions on this?

We snorkeled in Grand Cayman and Cozumel, and I was a bit concerned about my stuff as well.

 

First off, I would not recommend you bring your passports off the ship. We were told by the ship personnel (we sailed Norwegian) that we would not need them, so no reason to risk them getting stolen.

 

As for cash/valuables, we left our credit cards except one on the ship, so that if it did get stolen, we wouldn't be up a river. As far as towels/shoes/etc., we would stake out beach chairs on the beach, and usually one person would stay with them (they wanted to relax/read a book/tan/etc.), so that was some measure of comfort. We had a backpack that we put all our stuff in, and then covered it with towels, which is what alot of people seemed to do. We had no problems whatsoever.

 

I did see some people using ziploc bags for keeping stuff dry on a boat snorkeling tour we did. We had no worry on that excursion, since I made sure we checked that our valuables were intact before we were arriving at the beach/pier.

 

My bottom line is that if you take precautions, you should be okay. We didn't have any problems with valuables being stolen, mainly due to the fact that we left most of them on the ship.

[Lsimon]

I've never had issues with stuff left on the beach.

 

But I would never ever leave valuables like cash, cruise card, credit cards or such on the beach. I've tried lots of different types of underwater wallets. Almost all leak if you dive down 10 feet or more. By far the best I've used is something called the Kwik Tek Alligator Wallet. Here is a link for it at Amazon - although a lot of places online sell it. Even though this kept everything dry last trip I would still not take anything that would be a problem getting wet - like a passport. Leave that in the ship's safe.

 

Everything else is no big deal if it gets wet - credit cards, ships card & cash. I've frequently had to use damp cash and never had it refused - and it dries just fine.

 

I also have a waterproof underwater case I take my camera in so I can use it while snorkeling or swimming. But I do leave beach bag, shoes, glasses, towel, clothing, etc on the beach and have never had a problem. At the same time I accept that there is a risk involved and at times others have not been so lucky.

[rsldonk]

I have a waterproof box think about the size of a cigarette box that I use while diving. Not sure my passport would fit in it, but all my certification cards and all that do plus a bit of cash. I've had it down past 100' no problem. http://store.thewaterproofstore.com/cardcase.html

 

 

I bought it at my local dive shop for about that same price.

[peabody99]

we have those little water proof containers you wear around your neck. you can get them at the ship store. They sometimes leak a little, so I bring zip lock too. We but cash, ship cards and credit cards in these. We never bring our camera-we bring disposable cameras for port, nor a cell phone. I always leave things (lotion, shoes and what not) out on the towels so people do not think they need to grab my empty beach tote...the only concern I have is my rx glasses, but I leave them in a shabby case on the towel, and have never had an issue.

 

BTW- I have never seen good snorkeling in Orient bay, it has been way too windy when I was there (always in Jan). You might save your self the trouble and not haul your gear out there if you are going that time of year.

[Lsimon]

...BTW- I have never seen good snorkeling in Orient bay, it has been way too windy when I was there (always in Jan). You might save your self the trouble and not haul your gear out there if you are going that time of year.

 

 

I'd agree - if snorkeling is your goal go someplace else on St. Martin. We usually go to Orient to enjoy the beach and beach bars there but leave our snorkeling gear behind that day.